Allana Ferguson | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1993-05-22)22 May 1993 (age 32)[1][2] Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | sports commentator; teacher |
| Known for | competing as a professional rugby league player |
| Television | Nine's Wide World of Sports,The Sunday Footy Show |
Allana Ferguson (born 22 May 1993) is an Australian sports commentator and former professional rugby league and rugby union player.
Ferguson was one of the first women in Australia to sign a professional playing contract with theNational Rugby League, and advocated for the establishment of theNRL Women's Premiership.[3]
Ferguson began playing rugby league at the age of four, but as a girl was required to stop when she reached the under 12's age group with girls not being permitted to compete again until the age of 17.[3][4] In 2016, Ferguson praised the introduction of two new age divisions which enables teenage girls to continue to play rugby league in Under 14's and Under 16's divisions.[4]
In 2013, Ferguson representedAustralia inRugby Sevens before her switch to rugby league.[4]
Playing atfive-eighth, Ferguson representedNew South Wales in theWomen's Interstate Challenge series in 2015 and 2016.[3] She made her debut for theAustralian Jillaroos at the2016 NRL Auckland Nines.[4]
In August 2016, Ferguson was named in theCronulla Sharks' Nines squad for the local derby against theSt. George Illawarra Dragons, which was used as the curtain raiser to an NRL game atShark Park.[5] She was subsequently signed by the Sharks for the club's 2017 women's season.[6]
At the age of 25 in 2018, Fergusontore her left ACL for the fourth time, having already torn the same ligament at the ages of 15, 17 and 20.[7] On medical advice, she retired from rugby league.[7]
Since retirement, Ferguson has been a rugby league and rugby union commentator for various media outlets, includingNine's Wide World of Sports and2GB'sContinuous Call Team.[8][9] Ferguson has been a regular panel member onThe Sunday Footy Show since 2018.[10]
Ferguson first made her television debut in 2006 at the age of 13 when she was interviewed bySteve Jacobs on Nine's breakfast programToday about not being able to play rugby league as a teenage girl.[11]
In March 2023, Ferguson was listed at #35 onThe Sydney Morning Herald's list of the Top 50 Most Influential Women in Sport.[12]
After undergoingIVF treatment, Ferguson now has three children.[13][14]
the 25-year-old said her most treasured memories were...
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As mum to two beautiful kids ...